Rangers are in search of their fourth manager since Steven Gerrard departed for Aston Villa in 2021, following the dismissal of Philippe Clement.
The Belgian arrived with a strong reputation for delivering domestic success and competing against financially superior teams in Europe.
However, within just a year, Clement’s fortunes took a dramatic turn. Rangers went from leading the Scottish Premiership and being on track for a treble to ending up trophyless and eliminated from all domestic competitions by mid-February.
Philippe Clement sends message to Rangers fans after Ibrox exit
After maintaining his silence for the past few weeks, Clement has now spoken out about his departure, posting on X:
*”Dear Rangers,
It has taken me a few days to fully process and accept the end of my time at this exceptional club.
I leave with a heavy heart, frustrated and disappointed that I couldn’t consistently bring the team to the level we all expected. I understand your frustrations, and I share them.
We worked passionately, day and night, and while we faced challenges, I will never forget the many great moments we had together. Your unwavering support and the energy from the fans made those times truly special. In those moments, it felt like we were one big family.
For that reason, Rangers will always hold a special place in my heart.
Thank you,
Philippe”*
What went wrong for Philippe Clement?
Clement’s tenure at Rangers was a whirlwind of highs and lows.
His appointment initially appeared to be a masterstroke. Within four months, he had secured progress in the Europa League, brought the League Cup back to Ibrox, and overturned a seven-point deficit to surpass Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
However, injuries, limited investment, and his reluctance to adapt his approach eventually caught up with him, leaving Rangers struggling to maintain momentum.
Misfortune and refereeing decisions didn’t favor him in last season’s Scottish Cup final or this campaign’s League Cup, but things only spiraled further downward as the season progressed.
Off-field issues and instability within the boardroom only compounded the challenges, making his dismissal inevitable.
Clement gave his all, but Rangers is a club like no other, and his struggle to contend with the league’s physically demanding and aggressive teams ultimately led to his downfall.